Around here music is more than a meal; it’s a family tradition. We get invited to McMurry Family Farms music session a couple times a year. They range from pig pickin’s to macaroni and cheese fest, and they are always excellent. Steve is always willing to help our family, but reciporaction means a lot too. Steve is multitalented. He plays mandolin, guitar and banjo, and has insider knowledge on how to tie everything from a wild hog to wild boys. I remember one time I had to call him for advice, and he said he had boys under contract to transport as far as Chattanooga, and he would recommend meeting me there. Given he had deep adventure experience, and I had virtually none, I followed his advice and everything worked out. I do have significant trust of Steve and his associates. If I had needed to get my wife and daughter to Chattanooga, I would have followed him there. By the same token, I had interest and in depth knowledge of aortic stenosis, and that was beneficial to their family too. Although we grew up in two different worlds, we shared one music that was so deep that we were brothers and grew a mutually beneficial friendship out of the relationship.

North Carolina Our State Magazine has been quite attentive of bluegrass and its constituants over the last few years. They have included reviews of my book The Mandolin Case, Dr. Temple’s 30 year career as a physician and semi-professional bluegrass musician, some nice coverage of Tommy Edwards of Bluegrass Experience fame, and have kept up with other bluegrass ongoing activities in the state. Please check their archives for these articles. I’ve been around the music a long time and find them historically accurate and quite informative. Thank you to North Carolina Our State Magazine for your insistence on excellent coverage of the Arts in North Carolina, including bluegrass music.

Since my diagnosis, Sammy Shelor has been kind enough to loan me the theme song, ‘Long Gone,” which is our prayer for all who deal with similar conditions. While it still presents many difficulties, we hope to eventually subtitle it “Gone At Last.” I appreciate your prayers and concerns as we try to make the best out of this we can.

I spoke to my agent yesterday. The feedback from test readers is excellent and the publisher is satisfied to go press very soon. I hope to find as many new friends as I did with “The Mandolin Case. I hope to post many more specifics, dates, links, etc very soon so stay tuned.”Dr. B

A recent FB”Song of the Day” for me was “All of Me” as rendered by Don Stiernberg. From his ‘Swing 220’ CD. If you like jazz, swing, big band era, or just all around fine mandolin playing, you’ll like this recording. Jethro would be proud. Cuts also include ‘Caravan, ‘Limehouse Blues,’ ‘Pennies From Heaven,” “Honeysuckle Rose,” “After you’re Gone,” “Lady Be Good’ and more. Excellent work!

“ivealways heard when New Grass toutred through the Chicago area, the band always allowed some extra time in the schedule so Sam Bush could take in q lesson with Jethro Burns and Don Stirenburg. I figure if the material is worthy of Sam’s 1me…

I hope you got there; what a fine festival. In case you missed it; there is a way to see these young folks in the next best venue to live. Darin and Brooke’s new DVD, recorded at the Easter Family studio in Charlotte N.C. is as close to the excitement of a live show as you’re gonna get. Invite over family and friends for popcorn; you can’t go wrong with this DVD.

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